Rev. Fr. Gaenato Batanyenda, the parish priest of Kitanga in Kabale Diocese, has retired from active priesthood after 50 years of dedicated service. The 80-year-old celebrated a thanksgiving event on Sunday at the parish headquarters in Kashambya sub-county, Rukiga district. Monsignor Vianney Sunday, Vicar General of Kabale Diocese, presided over the ceremony and announced that Rev. Fr. Marious Byamukama would assume the role of parish priest in place of Fr. Batanyenda.
Wilfred Niwagaba, the MP for Ndorwa East County, and Roland Bish Ndyomugenyi, the MP for Rukiga County, praised Batanyenda for not only preaching the Gospel but also for advocating for a culture of saving among the public in the area. They highlighted his establishment of the Rukiga Savings and Credit Cooperative Society as instrumental in promoting this saving culture. Additionally, they commended Batanyenda for his efforts in fighting against corruption, although they noted that he retired at a time when corruption remains prevalent.
In his address, Batanyenda appealed to all well-wishers for a happy retirement to support his successor in continuing the parish’s development. He explained that he requested retirement from the Kabale Diocesan Bishop due to health complications. Despite his affiliation with the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party, Rev. Fr. Batanyenda is known for publicly criticizing President Yoweri Museveni for his alleged failure to combat corruption among government officials.
Rev. Fr. Batanyenda was born on December 24, 1944, to Anantoli Tabwendero and Enfrazia Nyakweshe in Makiro parish, then under the pastoral care of the Comboni Missionaries. He began his primary education at Rutenga Primary School in Rutenga sub-county, Kanungu district, in 1957. His father served as a catechist at Makiro parish, and Batanyenda also served as an altar boy.
In 1965, he enrolled in St. Paul’s Seminary Kabale and later pursued studies in philosophy at Katigondo National Major Seminary for two years. In 1972, he continued his theological studies at Ggaba National Seminary until August 1976.
